First, Those Games…

Blaine Taylor outcoached Jim Larranaga Saturday night. This isn’t to say Taylor is a better coach in the grand scheme, but on that particular night Taylor had his number. On at least three inbounds plays ODU ended up with uncontested shots, and what many people are pointing to as lax Mason defense was hardly that.

You don’t suddenly start giving up wide open shots, not in February and especially to a team that is offensively challenged. No, ODU executed a very good game plan.

The Monarchs win adds both clarity and fog to the standings. We’ll deal with that later.

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In Hempstead, Eric Maynor showed the difference in a senior and a sophomore in VCUs gutty win over Hofstra. First, we say gutty because apparently five Rams were under the weather with a flu bug. Maynor (33 points, 21 in the second half) put on a second half show, scoring nine in row and then seven in a row to lift VCU.

Both Maynor and Chuckie Jenkins played all 40 minutes. At the end Jenkins was completely gassed (shooting 5-23) and Maynor’s team was victorious.

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For about the seventh time this season, Nor’easter did what good teams do. Poor Bill’s team came off a huge road trip and did NOT let down. The Huskies were a little sloppy early–four quick turnovers–but they kept calm and bludgeoned the Hens.

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Drexel won old school style, suffocating Towson 60-53. The Dragons used just enough offense–riding a huge 14-2 first half run that included two threes from Gerald Colds–and held the Flying Tigers to 34% shooting and one three pointer.